Rossvale rocked as Bellshill scupper promotion hopes

Rossvale suffered another home defeat to strugglers Bellshill on Saturday which all but extinguished any flickering promotion hopes.

After a cagey opening spell the game sparked into life in the 25th minute.

Chris O’Brien, making his return from injury, received the ball 25 yards from goal and fired an unstoppable shot into the top left corner to put Rossvale one up.

The lead lasted for only five minutes though. Bellshill won a free-kick just outside the penalty box and the ball was flighted by Lee Nichol over the wall and into the net.

Five minutes later the visitors were ahead. An unchallenged run through the Rossvale midfield allowed the ball to be laid off to Conor McDonald to scoop the ball past Jamie Donnelly.

Rossvale tried to hit back and a free-kick by Darren Ferguson on 38 minutes was flicked on by Gary McGrath but there was just too much pace on the ball to allow Stephen McGladrigan to make contact.

After the break a shot from the edge of the box by Gary Trussler was turned around the post for a corner. The ball was whipped in by Craig Holmes and Gary McGrath’s glancing header was just off target.

Three minutes later the visitors had the chance to extend their lead when a through ball was latched onto and the outstretched Donnelly was rounded, but the shot was cleared off the line by Sean Doherty.

Rossvale levelled again when a throw-in was flicked on to substitute Chris Dolan who was fouled inside the box. The referee pointed straight to the spot and former Bellshill man Dolan sent the keeper the wrong way to level.

Frustration got the better of Rossvale gaffer Brian McGinty who was red carded and sent to the stand.